Ricki Koinig

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry's Strategic Direction (FY2023-2027) is a five-year plan building upon Wisconsin's 10-year Statewide Forest Action Plan (SFAP). It addresses key challenges and opportunities: maintaining healthy forests and supporting local economies; mitigating climate change impacts; advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; adapting to technological changes; and continuous improvement. The plan outlines strategies across applied forestry (forest economics and ecology, forest health, forest product services, reforestation, urban forestry), forestry business services (aeronautics, budgets and grants, division effectiveness, equipment research and development, technology services), and forestry field operations (forest protection, forest tax law, private forestry, public lands). Specific initiatives include the Trillion Tree Pledge (planting 75 million trees by 2030), enhancing forest genetics research, improving forest health management, diversifying forest markets, improving reforestation efforts, expanding urban forestry programs, modernizing aviation resources, improving grant management, enhancing workforce development, and improving technology services. The plan emphasizes partnerships and collaboration across various sectors.

The Division of Forestry's Strategic Direction (2011-2016) outlines key priorities for protecting and sustainably managing Wisconsin's forests. The plan emphasizes maximizing public benefits from forests, respecting existing rights, leveraging limited resources, adapting to statewide differences, and maintaining a skilled workforce. Key areas of focus include county forests, fire protection, forest health, nurseries, privately owned forests, state lands, urban forests, and forest product utilization and marketing. The plan details specific strategies and program changes for each area, aiming to improve efficiency, enhance partnerships, and address emerging challenges such as invasive species and climate change. Outcomes include maintaining large forest blocks, promoting sustainable forestry practices, improving forest health, enhancing recreation opportunities, and supporting the forest products industry.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry's 2017-2022 Strategic Direction focuses on sustainably managing Wisconsin's forest ecosystems to provide ecological, economic, and social benefits. Key areas include forest health (invasive species management, detection and monitoring, partnerships, and outreach); forest products services (forest inventory and analysis, assistance to industry); forest protection (safety, fire risk landscapes, prevention, detection, fire department grants, training, and law enforcement); privately owned forest lands (cooperating foresters, tax law programs, dispute resolution, outreach, easements, and financial incentives); public lands (county forests, state land management, recreation, prescribed burning, master planning, and national forests); reforestation (state nurseries, regeneration monitoring, outreach, reforestation on state lands, and tree improvement); and urban forests (direct assistance, building partner capacity, and urban assessment). The plan emphasizes partnerships, resource efficiency, and adaptation to emerging challenges and opportunities, aiming to maximize the value delivered to Wisconsin citizens and enhance the overall capacity and stability of the forestry community.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting included discussion and adoption of several board orders. Key topics included the incorporation of the 2015 national ambient air quality standards for ozone, clarification of major source thresholds for non-attainment areas, and revisions to nitrogen oxides emission thresholds. The meeting also addressed proposed rules affecting wetland mitigation, with discussion of the mitigation alternatives, requirements for mitigation site plans, and procedures for mitigation bank establishment and operation. Public testimony was received regarding the wetland mitigation rules.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting included discussions on several key topics. The board approved modifications to board order WA 11-19, concerning electronics recycling programs. They also approved the scope statement for WA 13-21, related to statewide materials recycling and effective recycling programs, and discussed the need for outreach to stakeholders and businesses. Finally, the board approved the scope statement for DG 02-22, concerning statewide water supply service area planning for municipalities serving populations greater than 10,000 people.